This Apple iPhone Launch Imminent, But It Is Not What You Think; Price, Camera, Design, Display

The US tech major is working on a new Apple iPhone. It is expected to be positioned as a top-tier iPhone, catering to the brand’s loyal customer base. Know what this iPhone launch is all about. Apple appears to be preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market. And in a detailed Medium post, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared insights on what to expect from the tech giant’s first foldable iPhone. Titled “Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Predictions: Market Positioning, Hardware Specs, Development Schedule, and Shipment Estimates,” the post suggests that the device will feature advanced AI capabilities, a premium price tag, and a distinctive design that sets it apart from existing competitors.

The US tech major is working on a new Apple iPhone. It is expected to be positioned as a top-tier iPhone, catering to the brand’s loyal customer base. Know what this iPhone launch is all about. Apple appears to be preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market. And in a detailed Medium post, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared insights on what to expect from the tech giant’s first foldable iPhone. Titled “Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Predictions: Market Positioning, Hardware Specs, Development Schedule, and Shipment Estimates,” the post suggests that the device will feature advanced AI capabilities, a premium price tag, and a distinctive design that sets it apart from existing competitors.

The Apple foldable iPhone is expected to be positioned as a top-tier product, catering to the brand’s loyal customer base.

The device will be marketed as a “true AI-driven phone,” taking advantage of a larger display for improved multitasking and seamless cross-app integration. Apple aims to create a superior user experience, “enabling scenarios like chatting with a chatbot about travel plans while viewing a full map app simultaneously.”

The foldable iPhone is likely to feature a book-style design, sporting a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display.

Unlike existing iPhones, this model may not include Face ID due to space limitations. Instead, it will have Touch ID integrated into the side button. The device will also include a dual-lens rear camera and a front-facing camera available in both folded and unfolded states.

In terms of build quality, Apple is expected to “combine stainless steel and titanium alloy” hinge for durability, while the casing will be made of titanium alloy. The device will be 9mm to 9.5mm thick when folded and 4.5mm to 4.8mm when unfolded.

It will feature high-density battery cells similar to those in the upcoming “ultra-thin iPhone 17.”

The first-generation foldable iPhone is expected to retail between $2,000 (around Rs 1.74 lakh) and $2,500 (around Rs 2.18 lakh), Kuo said.

The foldable iPhone’s final specifications are expected to be locked in Q2 2025. Mass production is set to begin in Q4 2026, with a second-generation foldable iPhone planned for mass production in the second half of 2027.

“The complexity of the first-generation foldable iPhone will cap volume production until 2027,” wrote Kuo. 

These challenges are expected to limit initial availability, with estimated shipments ranging from 3 million to 5 million units in 2026. But with the launch of the second-generation foldable iPhone, total shipments could reach 20 million units by 2027, as stated by Kuo in his note.